top of page

WeAbide® CEO Vikrant Singh on the $100,000 H-1B Fee: Why Canada and Australia Are the Smarter Choices for Skilled Professionals

By Vikrant Singh, September 25, 2025

ree

As U.S. immigration policies tighten, the proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions has left both employers and skilled professionals questioning their future. For many, the H-1B pathway is starting to feel more like a gamble than a career plan.

At WeAbide, we see this shift every day. Skilled professionals and businesses are already looking north to Canada and across the Pacific to Australia for more predictable, affordable, and long-term solutions.

ree

The H-1B Fee as a “Human Tariff”

The new fee functions as a tariff on talent. While large corporations may absorb the cost, startups and mid-sized firms cannot — leaving many to either move jobs offshore or stop hiring foreign talent altogether. Skilled workers are stuck in limbo, uncertain whether pursuing an H-1B is even worth it.

Canada: A Pathway Built for Families and Growth

Canada offers:

  • Lower application costs than the U.S.

  • Predictable pathways to PR through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.

  • Family-friendly policies, where spouses can work and children can study from day one.

For many professionals, starting with a Canadian work permit and moving into PR provides a secure, long-term roadmap that the H-1B simply can’t match.

Australia: Long-Term Security and Freedom

As I highlighted in our recent analysis (Australia PR vs. US H-1B), Australia’s skilled visa framework (Subclass 189, 190, 491, and 186) is built on a different philosophy altogether:

  • Merit-based selection instead of lottery draws.

  • Freedom to change employers, unlike the restrictive H-1B.

  • Clear, time-bound pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.

  • Full rights for dependents and access to healthcare, education, and social benefits from day one.

For ambitious professionals planning their future, Australia offers not just a job, but stability, security, and integration into society.

ree

The Bigger Picture

The U.S. has long been the global magnet for talent, but policies like the new H-1B fee risk eroding that position. Meanwhile, Canada and Australia are actively positioning themselves as welcoming, secure destinations for skilled professionals and their families.


Closing Thoughts

As CEO of  WeAbide®, I see firsthand how global talent is rethinking its options. For professionals, this is a moment to reconsider your roadmap. For employers, it’s a chance to reshape your global hiring strategies.

Canada and Australia aren’t just alternatives — they are the smarter, more sustainable choices for skilled migration in today’s world.


– Vikrant Singh, CEO, WeAbide®

ree

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page